Toe stretching mechanism for hosiery inspection devices



19350 E. R. AMMON 2,023,946

TOE 'STRETCHING MECHANISM FOR HOSIERY INSPECTION DEVICES Filed April 25,1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l ISnnentor -10, 1935. E. R, AMMQ'N 2,023,946

7 TOE STRETCHING MECHANISM FOR HOSIERY INSPECTION DEVICES Filed April25, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3twentor I WW6 M E. R. AMMON TOE STRETCHINGMECHANISM FOR HOSIE IRY INSPECTION DEVIQES Filed April 25, 1933 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 10, 1935 Uiii'i'ED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOESTRETCHING MECHANISM FOR HOSIERY INSPECTION DEVICES 11 Claims.

'The present invention relates to an improvement in hosiery inspectingdevices, more particuuiarly of th type adapted for inspecting fullfashioned hose.

Such devices in general include expanding stretchers in or forming apart of some kind of supporting frame or form which are operative toengage and stretch the stocking fabric in the areas in which the defectsare likely to occur.

The present invention has for its principal object the provision ofstretching mechanism adapted to distend the toe fabric of a stocking sothat the fashioning areas on each side of the toe, the toe seam and,especially the looping across the end of the toe will be substantiallydistended for purposes of inspection.

A novel form of stretching means adapted to distend the toe fabriclaterally is provided, the same involving a pair of cooperative elementswhich work laterally in opposite directions. This feature of myinvention is an improvement upon the lateral toe expanding mechanismshown in my prior Patent 1,727,499, dated September 10, 1929.

A further feature of my invention involves provision of a longitudinallymovable stretching member particularly adapted to stretch the endportion of the toe so that the looping across the end will be thoroughlydistended, while at the same time the whole area of the toe will besubjected to a longitudinal stretch. This feature of the presentinvention is an improvement upon the longitudinal stretcher of my priorpending application Serial No. 479,757, filed September 4, 1930. Y

As a further important feature of my invention it is proposed to provideat least one of the stretching members with elements, preferably in theform of rollers, engageable with the stocking fabric and making rollingcontact therewith so that the fabric may readily readjust itself duringthe stretching operation without hinderance from the stretching member.This feature of my invention appears to be broadly new and applicable toother types of stretchers than herein specifically disclosed.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated what I now deem to bethe improved embodiment of the various features of my invention inassociation with a supporting form which I have found to be particularlysatisfactory.

The invention will now be described with reference to such drawings,wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a complete inspecting device embodying thepresent invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the toe engaging portion of the deviceof Figure 1 and showing the various toe stretching means constructed inaccordance with my invention;

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 but showing all of thestretching means in fully expanded position;

Figure 4 is a view showing a stocking in place upon the toe engaging endof the form, the

stretching members all being retracted as in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view like Figure 4 but with the laterally working toestretching means in expanded position;

Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5, but shows all of the stretching meansincluding the longitudinally movable stretcher in fully expandedposition, such view corresponding to Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a view in sectional elevation of the interior of the toeengaging portion of my device, showing particularly the construction ofthe actuating mechanism;

Figure 8 is an interior view taken at right angles to the view of Figure7 and showing the detail construction of the various stretching means;

Figure 9 is a view corresponding to Figure 8 but showing the lateralstretching means expanded as in Figure 5;

Figure 10 corresponds to Figure 6, showing all of the stretching meansin fully expanded position; and

Figure 11 is a detailed View of the end of a longitudinally movablestretcher, the same being more or less of a modification of theconstruction shown in the other views.

In Figure 1, I have shown a hosiery inspecting device comprising a frameor form Ill, the same preferably, and as shown, comprising a tubularstocking supporting structure in association with which independentlyconstructed'stretching members are provided adapted to engage certaindesignated areas of the stocking. In its general construction theinspecting device is similar to that shown in my prior Patent 1,727,499and my prior application Serial No. 479,757, above referred to. The weltexpanding members 12 to gether with the actuating means thereforincluding the longitudinally movable rod 13 are fully explained in thepatent and application and need not be discussed in detail herein. Themember l l is adapted to engage the stocking heel and forms thesubject-matter of a separate application, Ser. No. 667,887, filed ofeven date with the present case.

The small end I of the form is shaped to engage the stocking toe, and inassociation therewith are provided a plurality of outwardly movablestretching members, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, which serve to distend all of the vital areas of the toefabric. When the stretching means is to be applied to the form shown thetoe end of the form is provided with openings on each side of the formadjacent the end and with an opening through the end extremity I5. As amatter of convenience, the side and end openings may be made unitary byproviding a longitudinal bifurcation l6 extending rearwardly from theend of the form for a distance sufficient to accommodate the stretch ingmembers now to be described.

Located on each side of the form rearwardly of the end are a pair ofwing-shaped stretchers I l expansible outwardly from opposite sidesthrough the bifurcation l6. Such elements are shown in my prior Patent1,729,499. While the wing stretchers serve admirably to effect a lateraldistension of the toe fabric rearwardly of the end of the form, I havefound that it is also necessary to proper inspection of the stocking tosupplement such members by additional lateral stretchers which operatein proximity to the extremity l5 of the form, particularly, with a viewof permitting a proper inspection of the fashioning areas located oneach side of the toe and for a further purpose to be hereafterdiscussed. Of course, it would be possible to merely extend the wingelements I! forwardly, but I find that such an expedient does notproduce the desired results. I, therefore, supplement the wing stretcherI! by additional lateral stretchers l8 which have a tip portion [9located slightly forward of the toe extremity I5, the same being clearlyshown in Figures 2 and 3.

In order to provide a compact construction and for the purpose ofsimplifying the actuating mechanism for operating the same, thestretchers I I and I8, which I find it convenient to designate ascompound lateral stretchers, may be constructed as shown in thedrawings. The member I8 is provided with a longitudinal slot 20 out ofwhich works the wing member H. To secure a simultaneous operation of thetwo stretchers the same may be pivotally secured together by pins 2| asshown in Figure 8.

The compound stretchers are secured in the form through pivot elements22 which engage the forward portions of the wing element 11 as bestshown in Figures 8 and 9. To actuate the compound stretchers includingthe members I! and I8 a cam member 23 is provided at the forward end ofthe longitudinally movable actuating rod l3. The cam member is providedwith opposing cam surfaces 24 which engage coacting cam surfaces 25 onthe inner sides of the wing stretchers I! as best shown in Figure 9. Asthe cam member moves forwardly the opposing wing stretchers I! are movedlaterally in opposite directions and, due to the pivotal connection,stretchers l8 including the tip portions [9 are likewise extended. Inorder to enable the compound stretchers to be maintained normally inretracted position longitudinally extending spring elements 26 securedto the form, as at points 21, may be provided which will coact withshoulders 28 on the wing element H.

In addition to the compound lateral stretchers just described, I providea longitudinally movable stretcher 30 projectable outwardly through theextremity l5 of the form. The particular function of such stretcher isthe longitudinal distension of the toe and, in cooperation with the tipportions I9 of the lateral stretchers I8, the transverse distension ofthe toe end and the looping stitching therealong. The longitudinalstretcher as best shown in Figures 3 and 8 preferably presents astraight forward edge 3 1 having a width somewhat wider than the end ofthe stocking toe. As a matter of convenience the stretcher 30 may beconstructed in a form of a T with a transversely extending portion 32across its end.

A particularly important feature of the longitudinal stretcherwhich maybe applied to advantage to some of the other stretching members of thepresent device or garment stretchers of individually differenttype-involves provision of stocking engaging surface portions offrictionless character adapted to facilitate the readjustment of thefabric during the stretching operation. To

prevent the stretcher from interfering with the distension of the toefabric across the end of the stocking rolling surfaces are presented bythe stretcher 30 to the stocking toe so that as the fabric distendsrelative to the stretcher the surface will move with the fabric. As aconvenient construction the fabric engaging elements may compriserollers or disks 33 located one on each side of the transverselyextending portion 32 of the stretcher 3B. As best shown in Figure 3elements 33 are of a size to engage the toe fabric on the forward end ofthe stretching member beyond the surface 3| and also beyond the sideextremities of the stretcher. That is to say, the only parts of thelongitudinal stretcher 30 which V 30 the cam member 23 which operatesthe compound lateral stretchers l1 and i8 may be provided with aforwardly extending projection 34 r of reduced size. In order to obtaina thorough distension of. the toe fabric, I find it desirable that thecompound lateral stretchers be expanded prior to the time thelongitudinal stretcher becomes operative. I, therefore, provide alostmotion connection between the longitudinal stretcher 39 and theoperative extension 34 of the longitudinally movable cam 23. As shown inFigure '7 the stretcher 39 is provided with a longitudinally extendingrecess 35 having a forward shoulder 36. An enlargement 31 on the forwardend of the cam projection 34 rides in such recess, and after the lateralstretchers have been expanded the portion 31 will engage the shoulder 36of the longitudinal stretcher and thereafter cause the longitudinalstretcher to be projected outwardly. The operation of this portion ofthe --mechanism, as described, may be fully understood, the successiveoperating stages of the engage the toe fabric are the pair of rollers H(I stretching mechanism shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 will now briefly beconsidered in connection with the corresponding views of Figures 4, 5and 6 which show the manner in which the stocking is distended by theseveral stretchers. In Figure 8 all of the stretching members are shownin fully retracted position. Thus, in Figure 4 it will be noted that thetoe portion of the stocking is substantially unexpanded, but it will benoted fur 'ther that the laterally movable wing stretchers ll engage thestocking toe at a point a substantially rearwardly from its end and therollers 33 engage the fashioning areas along each side of the toeadjacent the end at point I). In Figure 9 .the actuating rod hasadvanced cam member 24 forwardly to expand both of the compound lateralstretchers, it being noted that the tips iii of stretchers it have movedlaterally beyond the extremities of the rollers on the longitudinalstretcher 35. The results are shown in Figure 5, wherein it will benoted that the wing members ll have subjected the rear portion of thetoe to a substantial lateral stretch, serving not only to provide a.distension of this fabric but also to prevent the toe portion fromsliding forwardly on the form under the influence of the other toestretchers. The tips i9 now engage the sides of the heel adjacent theend at point b and have caused a material stretch in these areas. Alsothey have caused a preliminary transverse distension of the loopingacross the end of the toe. Referring now to Figure 10, I find that thelongitudinal stretcher 38 has moved forwardly to its extended positionto effect a longitudinal stretch in the stocking toe. The results areindicated in Figure 6. By reason of the longitudinal distension in thetoe fabric between point a where the wing stretchers operate and theforward end, the fabric is stretched forwardly to some extent. As thestretcher 3% moves forwardly the rollers 33 thereon ride against the toefabric and cause a substantial transverse stretch along the toe looping0. By reason of the fact that the rollers maize frictionless contactwith the fabric surface, it will be understood how the end of the toefabric will be spread out as the longitudinal stretcher 39 is advancedto the position shown in Figure 10.

The transverse dimensions of the longitudinal stretcher 536 will bedetermined primarily by the degree of stretch desired across the toelooping. The member may be made narrower or wider according to taste. InFigure 8 the member 39 is of substantial width, the rollers extendingtransversely beyond the tips l9 of the lateral stretchers l8. As desiredthe stretcher may be made substantially narrower as shown in theembodiment of Figure 11 wherein it will be noted that the distancebetween the rollers of the stretcher 353a is substantially less than inthe stretcher 353 of Figure 8. The narrower the stretcher 3% at itsforward end the greater the stretch obtainable in the toe extremity withthe least amount of power applied to the actuating rod is.

It will be evident from the preceding descriptlon that I have provided atoe inspecting device for stockings, particularly suited to those of thefull fashioned type, subjecting all of the vital areas of the toe fabricto both a lateral and longitudinal stretch, the lateral and longitudinalstretching members cooperating to this end as well as subjectingpredetermined areas to especially great distension. The employment ofrollers to facilitate the readjustment of the fabric during thestretching operation is of great benefit as applied to stretchingdevices in general.

It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the several features ofthe invention are capable of a considerable range of modification andequivalency without going beyond the scope of the invention. I do nottherefore intend to limit myself in practice to the particular detailsshown and described, but claim my invention within the broader'limits asdefined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A hosiery inspecting device including a supporting form having an endportion adapted to receive the stocking toe, and stretching members 15having fabric engaging tip portions extending forwardly and adjacent theend extremity of the form on opposite sides thereof, and means formoving the tip portions laterally to subject the end portion of thestocking toe to a transverse stretch.

2. A hosiery inspecting device including a supporting form having an endportion adapted to receive the stocking toe, laterally movablestretchers lying on opposite sides of the form having fabric engagingtips projecting forwardly of the end extremity of the form, and meansfor actuating said stretchers.

3. A hosiery inspecting device including a supporting form having an endportion adapted to receive the stocking toe, laterally movablestretchers located on opposite sides of said end having forwardlyext-ending tip portions presenting fabric engaging surfaces, and acooperative fiat ended longitudinally movable stretcher projectableforwardly beyond the end of the form and between the tips of theopposite lateral stretchers, and means for actuating the longitudinaland lateral stretchers.

i. A hosiery inspecting device including a supporting form having an endportion adapted to receive the toe of a stocking, laterally movablestretchers located on opposite sides of the form having fabric engagingextremities which extend forwardly beyond the form end, a flat endedlongitudinally movable stretcher projectable forwardly from the form endbetween the extremities of the laterally movable stretchers, said1ongitudinal stretcher having fabric engaging surface portions which incooperation with the extremities of the lateral stretchers will subjectthe end of the stocking toe to a transverse stretch.

5. A hosiery inspecting device including a supporting form having an endportion adapted to receive the stocking toe, laterally movablestretchers located on opposite sides of the form having forwardlyextending fabric engaging tip portions adjacent the form end, alongitudinally movable stretcher projectable outwardly from the end ofthe form between the tip portions of the lateral stretchers carryingfabric engaging rolling elements adapted to facilitate readyreadjustment of the fabric relative to the longitudinal stretcher whenthe latter is actuated, and means for actuating the longitudinal andlateral stretchers.

6. A hosiery inspecting device including a supporting form having an endportion adapted to receive the stocking toe, compound stretching meanslocated on opposite sides of the form adjacent said end, each of saidmeans including a stretching member having a tip portion which liesopposite the extreme end of the form and a cooperative stretching memberlocated rearwardly thereof, the tip portion of the first stretcher beingengageable with the toe fabric adjacent the end and the second stretcherbeing adapted to engage the foot portion of the stocking at a pointspaced from the toe end, and means for expanding the compound stretchingmembers laterally.

7. A hosiery inspecting device including a supporting form adapted toreceive a stocking, openings on opposite sides of the forin, compoundstretching means projectable laterally outwardly through said openings,said compound means each comprising a pair of stretching members, eachhaving a fabric engaging surface, one of said members being pivotallysupported in the form and the other member having a pivotal connectionwith the first member, and actuating means within the form engageablewith one of the members of each of the opposite compound stretchingmeans for actuating all of the stretching members.

8. A hosiery inspecting device including a supporting structure havingan end portion adapted to receive the toe of a stocking, laterallymovable stretching means engageable with the toe adjacent its end, and alongitudinally movable stretcher projectable forwardly to stretch theend of the toe, and actuating means for expanding the longitudinal andlateral stretchers, the actuating means having a lost-motion connectionwith the longitudinal stretcher permitting the projection of thelongitudinal stretcher to be delayed until the actuating means hasprojected the lateral stretching means.

9. A hosiery inspecting device including a supporting form and havingstocking toe stretching means, said means comprising oppositely disposedlaterally movable stretchers engageable with the toe rearwardly of itsend, additional oppositely disposed laterally movable stretchersengageable with the toe immediately adjacent its end, a longitudinallymovable stretcher provided with fabric engaging rolling elementspro-jectable forwardly to stretch the end of the toe, and actuatingmeans to expand the longitudinal stretcher and the several lateralstretchers.

10. A hosiery inspecting device including a stocking supporting formhaving an end portion adapted to receive the stocking toe, said endportion being bifurcated to provide an end opening and oppositelydisposed side openings adjacent the end, a pair of stretching memberspivotally connected with each other and having a pivotal connection withthe form projectable outwardly through one of the side openings, asimilarly constituted pair of stretching members projectable outwardlythrough the other side opening, a longitudinally movable stretcherhaving surface portions making rolling contact with the stocking toeprojectable outwardly through the end opening, and actuating meanswithin the form for expanding the lateral and longitudinal stretchers.

11. A hosiery inspecting device including a form adapted to support astocking with its toe portion in position to be stretched, and toestretching means mounted for longitudinal movement outward of the toeend of the form comprising a stretching member having a narrow endterminating in abrupt side corners for stretching the transverse loopingacross the extremity of the stocking toe, rollers positioned at saidcorners over which the toe looping is stretched as the member isprojected longitudinally, and actuating means for projecting the toestretching member.

EDWARD R. AMMON.

